Singapore Secrets Act

Published: December 25, 1993

To the Editor:

"Trial in Singapore Tests Press Curbs" (news article, Dec. 5) criticizes Singapore's Official Secrets Act for being so broadly worded that it bars the release of any information that the Government deems confidential. This law was enacted in British-governed Singapore based on the laws of Britain.

The Singapore Government will not allow anyone to use the excuse of "Western-style freedom of speech or information" or "investigative reporting" to divulge classified information. This attitude may strike Americans as quaint.

Since Watergate and the passage of the Freedom of Information Act, Americans are used to frequent leaks of sensitive official information. Such leaks may be regarded as normal by journalists, some officials and even the public. American society cannot claim this to be a change for the better in America's governance.

Singapore is not following that American model. S. R. NATHAN Ambassador of Singapore Washington, Dec. 14, 1993